Watching Daisuke Matsuzaka face Washingon Saturday was approached as a form of community service.

We didn't know what to expect. We only knew the Red Sox schedule said we had to do it.

Oh, there was also a curiosity factor, for sure. But if we were expecting a definitive answer to what to expect from Matsuzaka, the dude left us hanging.

The 4-2 loss was a microcosm of Dice-K's entire career in Boston. It contained a mixed bag of encouraging signs (eight strikeouts, only one walk) and the bottom-line reality that four runs in five innings can be swallowed after a year-long layoff, but will not suffice as a steady diet.

"It was usable,'' manager Bobby Valentine said in one of the season's less ringing endorsements.

"If we can im---, build on that, that will be pretty good.''

It sounded as if Valentine was about to say "improve.'' He should have gone ahead and said it.

Pitching at a snail's pace with high pitch counts has been Matsuzaka's distinct trademark, even on a Red Sox staff overrun by slow workers.

"Game's at 4, honey. Don't hold dinner.''

Ah, but in his return from Tommy John elbow surgery, Matsuzaka came out as if he'd left his car running.

It took him three pitches to strike out leadoff man Steve Lombardozzi. Suitably tantalized, the fans felt vindicated for the warm ovation they had given Dice-K in the pregame introductions.

"There was a lot of emotion this week. Today brought back a lot of memories from the past five years,'' Matsuzaka said through a translator.

"It made me appreciate the fans even more. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me.''

It was a touching, genuine moment. It had the sound of a politician, thanking his supporters after a loss on Election Night.

Reality set in with Adam LaRoche's homer to lead off the second inning. Boston trailed 4-0 by the fourth.

Had right fielder Adrian Gonzalez not mistaken himself for Roberto Clemente and turned a sensational catch into a double play, it would have been worse.

The pace was fine - time of game, 2 hours, 53 minutes. The outcome, not so much.

Judging Matsuzaka objectively has never been easy. Some pitchers mix up their pitches; he mixes his messages.

The best way to judge him now is to forget about the 2007 hype, the predictions of 20-win seasons, the $51 million negotiating fee and the gyroball.

His six-year contract ends after this season. Until then, can Matsuzaka serve as a functioning No. 5 starter?

All that matters now is whether he can he last six innings every five days and give the Red Sox a chance to win. First impressions were hazy, but they suggest even that might be expecting too much.